Finding Frances: The Podcast
Finding Frances is a podcast exploring the life and work of 19th century Philadelphia luminary Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (1825-1911), hosted by Kalela Williams and produced by Intercultural Journeys. Taking inspiration from The Frances Suite, a new musical and poetic work by Ruth Naomi Floyd celebrating Harper's art and activism, this four-part podcast talks with scholars, activists, poets, archivists, and musicians as we explore Harper’s legacy, and work to honor her memory.
Listen to the Episodes Now:
Meet The Host
Hi! I’m Kalela Williams. I'm originally from Atlanta, Georgia, although I spent more than a decade living in central Virginia, followed by Philadelphia, where I'm based now. I’ve been writing stories since I was old enough to hold a pencil, and today, my writing explores the landscape of African American history. Recently, I was honored to receive a Tin House YA Residency for my manuscript. More cowbell!
I became involved in historical interpretation only a few years ago, but it’s also been my whole life in the making. Check out my publications and historical projects.
I work with amazing kids in my role as Director of Writing of Mighty Writers, a beloved Philly organization, and for more than a decade, I've worked in public programming for the Free Library of Philadelphia and James Madison University's Furious Flower Poetry Center. When I'm not at a desk, I might be reading, hiking, or enjoying the arts and cultural scene of Philadelphia, where I live with my boyfriend and three horrible, loveable cats (actually, one of them is a good boy).
MEET THE GUESTS
Dr. Melba Joyce Boyd, Distinguished Professor in the Department of African American Studies, Wayne State University is a poet and Frances Ellen Watkins Harper scholar. Her book, Discarded Legacy: Politics and Poetics in the Life of Frances E. W. Harper 1825-1911, is an account of her journey to uncover and honor Harper’s erased legacy.
Dr. Utz McKnight is an Associate Professor in Political Science and Chair of the Department of Gender and Race Studies at the University of Alabama. His publications include The Everyday Practice of Race in America, Political Liberalism and the Politics of Race, and the 2020 book Frances E.W. Harper: A Call to Conscience.
A composer and vocalist for over 25 years, Ruth Naomi Floyd leads a distinctive, progressive jazz ensemble and has released multiple recordings of original compositions. Recent work includes a 2020 Kimmel Center Jazz Residency, and composed works inspired by the lives of U.K. human rights activist Mende Nazer and Frederick Douglass.
Ruth is the composer and visionary for The Frances Suite, a powerhouse performance inspired by the life and work of 19th century Philadelphia luminary Frances Harper.
Poet, singer, educator, and curator Yolanda Wisher is the former poet laureate of Philadelphia and inaugural poet laureate of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Wisher is Curator of Spoken Word and Co-Director of Curatorial Programs at Philadelphia Contemporary and performs poetry and song with her band Yolanda Wisher & The Afroeaters.
Trapeta B. Mayson is a Liberia-born poet raised from girlhood in Philadelphia, where she was named the 2020 Poet Laureate. The self-published author of two poetry collections, she has created award-winning poetry projects, as well as working as a licensed clinical social worker and mental health program director.
Vashti Dubois is a social practice artist, creative scholar, institution-builder, and founder of the Colored Girls Museum (TCGM) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a grassroots “place-based” living museum that honors and memorializes the experiences of women and girls of the African diaspora. Dubois’ forthcoming book, Housework: A Memoir, will be released in 2023.
Lenwood Sloan is a creative director, consultant and arts educator whose 40-year career began dancing with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and has included community organizing work recognized by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, international consulting for the U.S. Embassy in Brussels, serving as Director of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Presenting and Commissioning Program, and directing Pennsylvania’s Cultural and Heritage Tourism Program.
Justina Barrett is Director of Education & Programs for the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Justina previously spent more than sixteen years at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, most recently as Interim Head of Public Programs.
Inahs Akilah (they/them) is a published writer, visionary and liberationist who visioned and created the Black and Brown Workers Cooperative (BBWC) in Philadelphia. The 400-worker strong BBWC’s actions include successfully changing the power structure in the Philadelphia gayborhood by ousting former LGBTQ liasion to the mayor, organizing with and unionizing Mazzoni Center workers, and focusing on Black and Brown workers who straddle identity lines along race, class, sexuality and gender identity and identity expression.
Funding for the public programs associated with The Frances Suite, including this podcast, has been provided by Spring Point Partners, PA Humanities, and the National Endowment for the Humanities as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
The Frances Suite is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support comes from The Presser Foundation, the Musical Fund Society, and Fleisher Art Memorial.